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The Midrash Aggada (Bo 10) says that there were rich and wicked Jews who cooperated with the Egyptian oppression of their brothers, and Hashem decided to kill them along with the Egyptians. Had Hashem killed them at a normal time, the Egyptians would have said that the plagues affected the Jews the way they affected the Egyptians. Therefore, during the plague of darkness was the opportune time for the demise of these Jews, so that the matter could go unnoticed by the Egyptians.
The same source cites another possible benefit of this plague. The Israelites were instructed to borrow as many riches from the Egyptians as they could, but the Egyptians were likely to deny possessing as many gold and silver jewels and utensils as they did. During the darkness, which did not affect the Jews, they looked for hiding places of these objects in the Egyptians’ houses, so that when they later denied having them, the Jews said that they saw A and B in X and Y places. The Jews pointed out that they could have taken them, but instead the Egyptians were being given an opportunity to lend them, which they indeed ended up doing to a very broad degree. The two approaches are not mutually exclusive, as "these and those are the words of the living G-d." Indeed Rashi cites both.
There is a third explanation. The darkness was a midda k’neged midda (particularly fitting) punishment. The P’sikta (11) tells a story that apparently occurred with variations several times. An Egyptian would grab a Jew and make him stand still (at the threat of execution) with candles burning down on his head, while the Egyptian was eating.
We will try to light up the darkness with the help of a prophecy by Yeshaya about Egypt (see Yeshaya 19:1, 18). Hashem promised to smite the idols of Egypt and said that the city of Cheres (meaning, sun) would turn into heres (destruction). That city was a center of worship to the sun. Yirmiya (43:13) also speaks about the destruction of the Egyptians’ monuments in their city of Beit Shemesh (the House of the Sun), which the Greeks called Heliopolis. The center of worship known to the Egyptians as Anu, which in Tanach is called On (see Bereishit 41:50), was central to the Egyptians. The priests based in this city set the Egyptian calendar, which was solar.
Based on this background, we can suggest that the plague of darkness was intended to show the Egyptians that even the sun, with all its power, is under the dominion of Hashem. Hashem may decide to allow its light to spread, and He may decide that its light will have no effect. One of the goals of the plagues was to teach the Egyptians and, through them, the world at large the basics of belief in one G-d. The Plague of Darkness had a central role in reaching that goal.
Let us pray that all who live in the world will recognize Hashem’s Kingdom and realize that all the powers of nature serve Him.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.